Student Services

The Office of Career Opportunities and Professional Development provides individualized guidance to current law students by developing career goals, building employment skills and developing a plan of action to meet the individual's goals. Among the services offered are assistance in preparing resumes, career counseling, mock interviewing, networking opportunities, and finding placement opportunities.

The Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development and his staff are available to students for counseling and advice on all phases of career and placement activity. In addition to personal appointments with students, the Director and his staff provide assistance with resume preparation, job search strategy, and interviewing skills. A library of placement resources is maintained for both students and alumni. The Career Opportunities and Professional Development Office also holds panels and programs in which various practitioners and alumni discuss their particular type of practice, both traditional and non-traditional. The office also participates in job fairs. Students are kept apprised of current job openings via a weekly mailing of a newsletter entitled Career Corner.

Job Search Preparation

The Office of Career Services and Professional Development has an extensive resource library which includes many guidebooks on preparing resumes. The Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development and his staff provide individualized guidance on resume development as well. In addition, the office has former student resumes to offer current students a guide.

The Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development coordinates a series of mock interviews where students can practice their new interview skills before actually meeting with a potential employer. This provides the student with immediate feedback and an excellent opportunity to quickly improve their skills while also gaining the kind confidence that only comes from experience.

Networking Opportunities

Networking opportunities are strong and plentiful due to the strong sense of camaraderie at NIU College of Law. Our Alumni Association is committed to actively working with current students to provide guidance, support and assistance with employment placement. Throughout the year the Office of Career Opportunities and Professional Development works with the Alumni Association to coordinate social receptions and speaking engagements to facilitate the networking opportunities for our students.

On-Campus Interviews

Career Opportunities and Professional Development maintains a listing of firms interviewing on-campus. The listing specifies the interview date and stated qualifications (2L, 3L, accounting, etc). Students wanting to interview with a firm must have a resume in the Career Opportunities Office by the specified date. Resumes will be sent to the firm as a group. The firm will determine who they would like to interview and a list of interviewees will be posted. Interview times will be assigned on a first come first served basis. If unable to keep your scheduled appointment, you must notify the office ahead of time. Failure to comply with this requirement will bar you from future on-campus interviews with any other firms and reflects poorly on NIU College of Law in general.

Public Interest Law Opportunities

Public interest opportunities are provided to our students because here at NIU College of Law, we are committed to encouraging pro bono public legal services. Pro bono service is defined as work done for the benefit of underserved populations in public agencies, public interest or pro bono organizations, or charitable or other non-profit groups or corporations.

In this voluntary program, students who successfully complete a cumulative 60 hours of approved pro bono service will receive a notation on their transcript. Pro bono service includes only voluntary, uncompensated work for which academic credit is not received. Various forms of scholarships, assistantships, or other grants are designated for the support of students performing voluntary services.

Career Fairs

The Director of the Career Opportunities and Professional Development Office works closely with a network of potential employers to coordinate regularly scheduled Career Fairs. Career Fairs give employers and students a forum to interact, network and explore opportunities.

Contact Information

The Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development, Greg Anderson, and his staff are located in Swen Parson 280. The Office can be reached by calling (815) 753-0589, faxing (815) 753-8073, or emailing ganderson@niu.edu.